Setting up logshipping for Prodcutino db

We have a production database of size 200GB
we also have monitor server apart from primary and secondary
I am required to set up logshipping for this db.

Please clarify my doubts on the following

- Can i initiate the process when the production database is in use?
- Should i have the same copy of 200GB on Secondary server to start the process?
- Since we are doing it on Production, does it require any down time.?

Have you tested it or used to setup log shipping on a test platform at your end?

In order to continue the log shipping the secondary server should also have database restored to match up the LSNs. No downtime is required but to facilitate and practice its better you perform all kinds of way within your development platform, fyi links:

Satya SKJ
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Writer, Contributing Editor & Moderatorhttp://www.SQL-Server-Performance.Com
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